DA leader Geordin Hill-Lewis has confirmed that following a careful assessment of the DA’s team in the Government of National Unity, he has written to President Cyril Ramaphosa to inform him of several changes to the party’s representation in the National Executive.

Rapport first reported on the changes on Wednesday morning.

The most notable change is the removal of John Steenhuisen as Agriculture Minister. Willie Aucamp, himself a farmer, will replace Steenhuisen.

The Western Cape Government will lose its Education MEC, David Maynier, who has been called up to replace Aucamp as Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment.

Hill-Lewis says he believes the renewed team announced today will “strengthen the DA’s contribution to government and give better effect to the mandate received from 3.5 million voters in the 2024 elections.”

He says Aucamp’s immediate mandate as new Agriculture Minister will be to resolve the ongoing legal proceedings relating to Foot and Mouth disease and to “work with the entire sector to overcome the crisis and restore confidence through accelerated practical steps to bring the crisis under control.”

Steenhuisen has faced increasing criticism from some in the farming sector over his handling of the FMD crisis, with accusations that he was dragging his feet to allow full private-sector involvement in vaccine procurement and administration.

The former DA leader has not been completely left out in the wilderness. Steenhuisen will replace Alexandra Abrahams as Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, while Abrahams will be moved to the role of Deputy Minister of Electricity and Energy.

Meanwhile, Yusuf Cassim, the DA’s Eastern Cape Deputy Provincial Chairperson, will be appointed Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training, while Jack Bloom, the longest-serving member of the Gauteng Provincial Legislature, will take up the position of Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation.

The changes mean three DA Deputy Ministers have lost their posts: Samantha Graham-Mare (former DM for Electricity and Energy), Mimmy Gondwe (former DM for Higher Education) and Sello Seitlholo (former DM for Water and Sanitation).

Hill-Lewis says these changes demonstrate DA “values in action.”

“We believe in accountability in public office, high standards of performance, and responsiveness to the needs of South Africans.”

“In every decision I take, no matter how difficult, I seek to advance the attainment of an open, opportunity society for all – a society in which every person can live a life of value. These changes will enhance the DA’s ability to give effect to that vision for South Africa.”